Previews Haunting Echoes by Mai Griffin | Page 13

Mai Griffin only one option open to him… and he needed to act soon. Clarrie felt many eyes upon her as she sat alone, sipping her gin and tonic. It was faintly disturbing as she was more used to fending off potential company than looking for it. Any hope of discovering what it was about her painting that caused comment was fading fast; everyone seemed wary of her. Although it was not late, she decided to leave, get some sleep and have an early start in the morning; the valley might look quite romantic with a faint mist rising from the fields. At that moment, the Postmaster returned to the bar, and nodded as she walked past the counter. He smiled, and offered her a drink. “Thanks,” said Clarrie, thinking it was a shame he had not made the gesture earlier, “but I’m on my way now.” “Oh, shame, maybe another night then. You won’t be leaving the village for a while, will you?” Assuring him that she would indeed b e around until next weekend, Clarrie made her way out and walked back to her lodgings. It occurred to her that she still didn’t know his name but he said everyone called him Postie, so it hardly mattered really – at least she’d made one friend. Clive Parker stared after her as she left the bar and for a mad moment contemplated following her, but dealing with her now would have been risky. He needed to act quickly but not precipitately... no sense in removing one threat and creating another! How to remove her without bringing suspicion on himself needed careful planning, but what he had done once he was confident he could do again. He smiled as he sipped his last drink of the evening. Yes, he was quite confident. 12